Toilet with contamination suppression

ABSTRACT

A toilet is disclosed which includes a toilet bowl having an inner space defined therein and having a top portion having a first opening and a top edge around the first opening; a seat mounted on the top edge so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the seat has a second opening defined therein, communicating with the first opening; and a lid to cover the seat so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the lid has an outer portion corresponding to the seat, and an inner portion protruding downwardly from the outer portion, and wherein when the lid is mounted on the seat, the inner portion fits into the second opening in the seat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean utility model applicationNo. 20-2016-0006628 filed on Nov. 15, 2016, the entire content of whichis incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully setforth herein.

BACKGROUND Field of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a toilet to allow contaminantsscattering during flushing operation to be prevented from beingdeposited on a seat.

Discussion of Related Art

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a toilet includes atoilet bowl 10 having an inner space 11 defined therein and having a topportion having a first opening and a top edge around the first opening;a seat 20 mounted on the top edge so as to pivotally move relative tothe bowl, wherein the seat 20 has a second opening 21 defined therein,communicating with the first opening; and a lid 30 to cover the seat 20so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl.

During flushing operation of the bowl 10, contaminants may be scatteredfrom the water in the bowl and then may be deposited on the seat 20.This may cause seat contamination.

When the user touches the seat for urination in order to move up theseat, the user's hand may contact the contaminants deposited on theseat. Thus, there is a need to solve this problem.

A prior art document is as follows: Korean utility model registrationNo. 20-0439117

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify all key featuresor essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intendedto be used alone as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

The present disclosure is to provide a toilet to allow contaminantsscattering during flushing operation to be prevented from beingdeposited on a seat.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a toiletincluding a toilet bowl having an inner space defined therein and havinga top portion having a first opening and a top edge around the firstopening; a seat mounted on the top edge so as to pivotally move relativeto the bowl, wherein the seat has a second opening defined therein,communicating with the first opening; and a lid to cover the seat so asto pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the lid has an outerportion corresponding to the seat, and an inner portion protrudingdownwardly from the outer portion, and wherein when the lid is mountedon the seat, the inner portion fits into the second opening in the seat.

In one implementation, the inner portion may have a top level lower thanthe bottom level of the outer potion of the lid.

In one implementation, the toilet may have a coupling mechanism to allowthe lid to be removably coupled to the seat.

In one implementation, the toilet may have a rotation grip coupled tothe coupling mechanism to allow a user to control the couplingmechanism.

In one implementation, wherein the coupling mechanism includes: avertical rotation shaft fixed to the rotation grip through a verticalthrough-hole defined in the outer portion of the lid; a horizontalextension horizontally extending from a distal end of the verticalrotation shaft; a first magnetic member fixed to a distal end of thehorizontal extension; and second and third magnetic members installed inthe seat, wherein the horizontal extension rotates around the distal endof the vertical rotation shaft such that the first magnetic member movesalong a circular path, wherein the second and third magnetic members atleast partially extend along the circular path of the first magneticmember.

In one implementation, each of the second and third magnetic members mayextend in a circular arc around a point corresponding to a distal end ofthe vertical rotation shaft.

In one implementation, the outer portion and the inner portion maydefine a cavity formed on the inner portion.

In one implementation, a cover may be pivotally coupled to the innerportion so as to open or close the cavity.

In one implementation, the cover may be made of transparent syntheticresin, such that the object in the cavity is visible to the user.

In one implementation, the cover may have a locking mechanism and anauxiliary grip.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the lid has the inner portionfitting into the second opening in the seat when the lid is secured tothe seat. Thus, the inner portion may tightly close the second opening.Therefore, contaminants scattering during flushing operation may beprevented from being deposited on the seat. In this way, the seat may befree of the contaminants.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the seat and lid may beselectively coupled to each other or removed from each other via thecoupling mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification and in which like numerals depict like elements,illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a conventional toilet.

FIG. 2 show a top view of the conventional toilet.

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of a toilet in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of a toilet in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure when a seat is separated from alid.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a coupling mechanism and a rotation grip of atoilet in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 show side elevation views for illustrating theoperation of a toilet in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure where

FIG. 9 shows a side elevation view of a variant of a toilet inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 show side elevation views of a toilet in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the figures arenot necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numbers in differentfigures denote the same or similar elements, and as such perform similarfunctionality. Also, descriptions and details of well-known steps andelements are omitted for simplicity of the description. Furthermore, inthe following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understoodthat the present disclosure may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,and circuits have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

Examples of various embodiments are illustrated and described furtherbelow. It will be understood that the description herein is not intendedto limit the claims to the specific embodiments described. On thecontrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, andequivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”,“third”, and so on may be used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or sectiondescribed below could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element or layer, it canbe directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer,or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. Inaddition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer isreferred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be theonly element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or moreintervening elements or layers may also be present.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,”“above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofexplanation to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement s or feature s as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or in operation, in additionto the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the devicein the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or“beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented“above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below”and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented for example, rotated 90 degrees or atother orientations, and the spatially relative descriptors used hereinshould be interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intendedto include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and “including” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers,operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items. Expression such as “at least oneof” when preceding a list of elements may modify the entire list ofelements and may not modify the individual elements of the list.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientificterms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. Thepresent disclosure may be practiced without some or all of thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known process structuresand/or processes have not been described in detail in order not tounnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 show a toilet in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The toilet may include a toilet bowl 10 having aninner space 11 defined therein and having a top portion having a firstopening and a top edge around the first opening; a seat 20 mounted onthe top edge so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein theseat 20 has a second opening 21 defined therein, communicating with thefirst opening; and a lid 30 to cover the seat 20 so as to pivotally moverelative to the bowl.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the lid 30 may have an outerportion corresponding to the seat 20, and an inner portion 31 and 32protruding downwardly from the outer portion. When the lid is mounted onthe seat, the inner portion 31 and 32 fits into the second opening 21 inthe seat 20.

The inner portion 31 and 32 may have a top level lower than the bottomlevel of the outer potion of the lid 30. In one embodiment, the innerportion 31 and 32 may have a plate form. Thus, the shape of the innerportion 31 and 32 may correspond to the second opening 21 in the seat20.

When the lid pivotally move toward and on the seat, the inner portion 31and 32 of the lid 30 fits into the second opening 21 in the seat 20 toclose the second opening 21.

In one embodiment, the lid 30 may be formed of a thin synthetic resinpanel. The inner portion 31 and 32 may protrude downwardly from theouter portion.

The seat 20 may be removably coupled to the lid 30 via a couplingmechanism 40. A rotation grip 50 may be coupled to the couplingmechanism 40 to allow the user to control the coupling mechanism 40.

The coupling mechanism 40 may include a vertical rotation shaft 41 fixedto the rotation grip 50 through a vertical through-hole 33 defined in afront location of the outer portion of the lid 30, a horizontalextension 42 horizontally extending from a distal end of the verticalrotation shaft 41, a first magnetic member 43 fixed to a distal end ofthe horizontal extension 42, and second and third magnetic members 44and 45 installed in the seat 20. When the user rotates the rotation grip50, the horizontal extension 42 may rotate around the distal end of thevertical rotation shaft 41 such that the first magnetic member 43 maymove along a circular path.

The second and third magnetic members 44 and 45 may be installed intothe seat 20 so as to at least partially extend along the circular pathof the first magnetic member 43.

In one embodiment, each of the second and third magnetic members 44 and45 may extend in a circular arc around a point corresponding to a distalend of the vertical rotation shaft 41.

An upper portion of the second magnetic member 44 may have an oppositepole to a pole of a lower portion of the first magnetic member 43. Anupper portion of the third magnetic member 45 may have the same pole asthe pole of the lower portion of the first magnetic member 43.

For example, when the pole of the lower portion of the first magneticmember 43 has an N pole, the upper portion of the second magnetic member44 has an S pole and the upper portion of the third magnetic member 45has an N pole. For example, when the pole of the lower portion of thefirst magnetic member 43 has an S pole, the upper portion of the secondmagnetic member 44 has an N pole and the upper portion of the thirdmagnetic member 45 has an S pole.

The rotation grip 50 may be fixed to a top end of the vertical rotationshaft 41. When the user rotates the rotation grip 50, the verticalrotation shaft 41 and horizontal extension 42 rotate such that the firstmagnetic member 43 may move in the circular path along and on the secondmagnetic member 44 and third magnetic member 45.

Thus, the coupling mechanism 40 may have a following operation:

First, the user rotates the rotation grip 50 such that, as shown in FIG.3, the first magnetic member 43 overlaps the second magnetic member 44.Thus, there occurs an attraction force between the first magnetic member43 and second magnetic member 44 and, hence, the first magnetic member43 is secured to the second magnetic member 44. In this way, the lid 30may be secure to the seat 20.

While the lid 30 is secure to the seat 20, the user pulls the rotationgrip 50 upwards such that as shown in FIG. 6, the lid 30 and seat 20together pivotally move upwards.

On the contrary, the user rotates the rotation grip 50 such that, asshown in FIG. 7, the first magnetic member 43 overlaps the thirdmagnetic member 45, there occurs a repulsive force between the firstmagnetic member 43 and third magnetic member 45 and, hence, the firstmagnetic member 43 is forced to move upwards. In this way, the lid 30pivotally moves upwards, such that the inner portion 31 and 32 isremoved upwards from the second opening 21 in the seat 20. Thus, the lid30 is removed from the seat 20.

While the lid 30 is removed from the seat 20, the user pulls therotation grip 50 upwards, such that, as shown in FIG. 8, only the lid 30pivotally moves upwards.

The lid 30 has the inner portion 31 and 32 fitting into the secondopening 21 in the seat 20 when the lid is secured to the seat. Thus, theinner portion 31 and 32 may tightly close the second opening 21.

Thus, contaminants scattering during flushing operation may be preventedfrom being deposited on the seat 20. In this way, the seat 20 may befree of the contaminants.

Furthermore, the seat 20 and lid 30 may be selectively coupled to eachother or removed from each other via the coupling mechanism 40. In orderfor the user to control the coupling mechanism 40, the couplingmechanism 40 may be connected to the rotation grip 50. Thus, the usermay control the rotation grip 50 so as to switch the coupling mechanism40. When the user pulls the rotation grip 50 upwards, both the seat 20and lid 30 may pivotally move upwards or, otherwise, only the lid 30 maypivotally move upwards.

In this way, when the user manipulates the lid 30 or both the lid 30 andseat 20, the contaminants may be prevented from contacting the hand ofthe user.

The coupling mechanism 40 includes the vertical rotation shaft 41 fixedto the rotation grip 50 through the vertical through-hole 33 defined ina front location of the outer portion of the lid 30, the horizontalextension 42 horizontally extending from a distal end of the verticalrotation shaft 41, the first magnetic member 43 fixed to a distal end ofthe horizontal extension 42, and the second and third magnetic members44 and 45 installed in the seat 20.

When the user rotates the rotation grip 50, the horizontal extension 42may rotate around the distal end of the vertical rotation shaft 41 suchthat the first magnetic member 43 may move along the circular path. Thesecond and third magnetic members 44 and 45 may be installed into theseat 20 so as to at least partially extend along the circular path ofthe first magnetic member 43.

In one embodiment, each of the second and third magnetic members 44 and45 may extend in a circular arc around a point corresponding to a distalend of the vertical rotation shaft 41.

The upper portion of the second magnetic member 44 may have an oppositepole to a pole of the lower portion of the first magnetic member 43. Theupper portion of the third magnetic member 45 may have the same pole asthe pole of the lower portion of the first magnetic member 43.

While the lid 30 is secure to the seat 20, the user pulls the rotationgrip 50 upwards such that the lid 30 and seat 20 together pivotally moveupwards. While the lid 30 is removed from the seat 20, the user pullsthe rotation grip 50 upwards, such that only the lid 30 pivotally movesupwards.

As described above, the lid 30 has the inner portion 31 and 32 fittinginto the second opening 21 in the seat 20 when the lid is secured to theseat. Thus, the inner portion 31 and 32 may tightly close the secondopening 21. Thus, contaminants scattering during flushing operation maybe prevented from being deposited on the seat 20. In this way, the seat20 may be free of the contaminants.

Moreover, when the lid 30 moves pivotally downwards such that the innerportion 31 and 32 thereof fits into the second opening 21 in the seat20, the inner portion 31 and 32 and seat 20 may be secured to eachother. In this state, the user moves pivotally upwards, such that theseat 20 moves pivotally upwards. This is when the first magnetic member43 overlaps the second magnetic member 44.

To the contrary, the user rotates the rotation grip 50 such that thefirst magnetic member 43 overlaps the third magnetic member 45, due tothe repulsive force between the first magnetic member 43 and thirdmagnetic member 45, only the lid 30 moves pivotally upwards. In thisway, the inner portion 31 and 32 of the lid 30 may be removed from theseat 20.

In this state, the user pulls the rotation grip 50 up, such that onlythe lid 30 moves pivotally upwards.

As mentioned above, the coupling mechanism 40 includes the verticalrotation shaft 41 fixed to the rotation grip 50 through the verticalthrough-hole 33 defined in a front location of the outer portion of thelid 30, the horizontal extension 42 horizontally extending from a distalend of the vertical rotation shaft 41, the first magnetic member 43fixed to a distal end of the horizontal extension 42, and the second andthird magnetic members 44 and 45 installed in the seat 20. However, thepresent disclosure may not be limited thereto. In one embodiment, asshown in FIG. 9, the horizontal extension 42 itself may be made of iron.Thus, the first magnetic member 43 may be omitted. In this connection,the third magnetic member 45 in the seat 20 may be omitted. Thus, thehorizontal extension 42 may be magnetically secured to the secondmagnetic member 44.

In this way, the coupling mechanism 40 may vary in terms of theconfiguration thereof.

FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 show a toilet in accordance with another embodimentof the present disclosure. The toilet may include a toilet bowl 10having an inner space 11 defined therein and having a top portion havinga first opening and a top edge around the first opening; a seat 20mounted on the top edge so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl,wherein the seat 20 has a second opening 21 defined therein,communicating with the first opening; and a lid 30 to cover the seat 20so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl.

In accordance with this embodiment of the present disclosure, the lid 30may have an outer portion corresponding to the seat 20, and an innerportion 31 and 32 protruding downwardly from the outer portion. When thelid is mounted on the seat, the inner portion 31 and 32 fits into thesecond opening 21 in the seat 20. Thus, the outer portion and the innerportion 31 and 32 may define a cavity formed on the inner portion 31 and32. A cover 60 may be pivotally coupled to the inner portion 31 and 32so as to open or close the cavity. Thus, the cavity may receive user'sobjects during urination.

To be specific, the cover 60 may be pivotally coupled to the innerportion 31 and 32 at a hinge 61 positioned at a rear end of the innerportion 31 and 32. In this way, as shown in FIG. 11, the cover 60 maypivotally move to close or open the cavity.

In this connection, the cover 60 may be made of transparent syntheticresin, such that the object in the cavity is visible to the user.

The cover 60 may have a locking mechanism 62 and an auxiliary grip 63.When the user allows the cover 60 to close the cavity, the lockingmechanism 62 may prevent the cover 60 from movement. Then, the user maycontrol the auxiliary grip 63 to de-activate the locking mechanism 62 toopen the cavity.

In this way, during the urination, the user may put the object of theuser into the cavity and close the cavity using the cover 60. As shownin FIG. 12, the lid 30 may pivotally move upward. In this state, theobject may not fall down due to the cover.

The above description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles ofexemplary embodiments, and many additional embodiments of thisdisclosure are possible. It is understood that no limitation of thescope of the disclosure is thereby intended. The scope of the disclosureshould be determined with reference to the Claims. Reference throughoutthis specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similarlanguage means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristicthat is described in connection with the embodiment is included in atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of thephrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar languagethroughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer tothe same embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toilet including: a toilet bowl having an innerspace defined therein and having a top portion having a first openingand a top edge around the first opening; a seat mounted on the top edgeso as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the seat has asecond opening defined therein, communicating with the first opening; alid to cover the seat so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl,wherein the lid has an outer portion corresponding to the seat, and aninner portion and protruding downwardly from the outer portion, whereinwhen the lid is mounted on the seat, the inner portion fits into thesecond opening in the seat; a coupling mechanism to allow the lid to beremovably coupled to the seat; and a rotation grip coupled to thecoupling mechanism to allow a user to control the coupling mechanism,wherein the coupling mechanism includes: a vertical rotation shaft fixedto the rotation grip through a vertical through-hole defined in theouter portion of the lid; a horizontal extension horizontally extendingfrom a distal end of the vertical rotation shaft; a first magneticmember fixed to a distal end of the horizontal extension; and second andthird magnetic members installed in the seat, wherein the horizontalextension rotates around the distal end of the vertical rotation shaftsuch that the first magnetic member moves along a circular path, whereinthe second and third magnetic members at least partially extend alongthe circular path of the first magnetic member, wherein an upper portionof the second magnetic member has an opposite pole to a pole of a lowerportion of the first magnetic member, wherein an upper portion of thethird magnetic member has the same pole as the pole of the lower portionof the first magnetic member.
 2. The toilet of claim 1, wherein theouter portion and the inner portion of the lid defines a cavity formedon the inner portion, wherein the toilet includes a cover pivotallycoupled to the inner portion so as to open or close the cavity.